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Cano, Tex, Jeter honored with Gold Gloves

Cano, Tex, Jeter honored with Gold Gloves

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By Bryan Hoch
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Three members of the Yankees' infield were honored on Tuesday with Rawlings American League Gold Glove Awards, as first-time winner Robinson Cano joined Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira in adding to their trophy cases.

The Yankees led the Major Leagues with a .988 fielding percentage, becoming the first AL team to boast three Gold Glove Award-winning infielders since the 2000 Cleveland Indians, while posting the highest fielding percentage (.988) and fewest errors of any season in franchise history.

"Winning the Gold Glove Award along with my teammates Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter is an honor," Cano said. "It's a great feeling to be recognized by managers and coaches for my defensive skills. This is an award I've worked for since becoming a Major Leaguer and will continue to do so each season."

Lauded universally for his trademark range to his right and strong arm, Cano was one of three first-time Gold Glovers in the Junior Circuit, along with outfielders Carl Crawford of the Rays and Franklin Gutierrez of the Mariners.

The award marks the second time in as many years that Jeter and Teixeira have won; Jeter now has five Gold Gloves and Teixeira has four. Other AL Gold Glovers included catcher Joe Mauer of the Twins, third baseman Evan Longoria of the Rays, outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners and left-handed pitcher Mark Buerhle of the White Sox.

The 28-year-old Cano led the AL with a .996 fielding percentage at second base, committing three errors in 776 total chances -- the most chances among all Major League second basemen.

The All-Star also set a Yankees franchise record with 81 consecutive errorless games at second base from April 23-July 26. He is the Yankees' second Gold Glove Award-winning second baseman, joining Bobby Richardson, who won the honor for five straight seasons from 1961-65.

"It has all come up to a very high level," Yankees infield coach Mick Kelleher said of Cano. "Break it all down, whatever you want on defense, and try to find somebody better. I haven't seen any."

Jeter, 36, also won Gold Gloves from 2004-06 and in '09. While Jeter's range has generally been perceived to be slipping, he proved to be sure-handed with the balls he reached.

Jeter's .989 fielding percentage was a career high, and he made just six errors, the lowest full-season total of his career. That was the fewest errors among all Major League shortstops who played a minimum of 110 games.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive the Gold Glove Award, especially since this recognition comes from managers and coaches for whom I have a great deal of respect," Jeter said. "It is particularly gratifying to be recognized for defense, as it is something I take a lot of pride in and am constantly working to improve."

Teixeira, 30, also earned Gold Gloves in 2005, '06 and '09. He leads all active first basemen with a career fielding percentage of .99643, and he was once again a calming presence for the Yankees' pitchers and infielders.

AL GOLD GLOVE WINNERS

The American League winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, with the number of Gold Gloves each has won in his career.

POS.

PLAYER

NO.

C

Joe Mauer, Twins

3

1B

Mark Teixeira, Yankees

4

2B

Robinson Cano, Yankees

1

3B

Evan Longoria, Rays

2

SS

Derek Jeter, Yankees

5

OF

Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners

10

OF

Carl Crawford, Rays

1

OF

Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners

1

P

Mark Buehrle, White Sox

2

Having committed just three errors in 1,310 chances, Teixeira posted a .998 fielding percentage. That represented the second-fewest errors and second-highest fielding percentage among all Major League first basemen, behind only Seattle's Casey Kotchman.

"As a player who works very hard on defense, it is an honor to win my fourth Gold Glove," Teixeira said. "I am blessed to play with great teammates, and it's special to share this achievement with Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter."

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Teixeira recorded 54 putouts on foul balls, the most for any fielder in the Majors. He becomes the Yankees' first repeat winner at first base since his boyhood idol, Don Mattingly, won four straight AL Gold Glove Awards from 1991-94.

This marks the third time in franchise history that at least three Yankees have won the award in the same season.

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award was established in 1957 as the greatest measure of fielding excellence. The honor is presented annually to 18 players -- one for each position -- in both the AL and the National League.

Winners are selected by Major League coaches and managers prior to the conclusion of the regular season. Managers and coaches may not vote for players from their own club and may only vote for players in their own league.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.